Cedar Valley Spotlight: Where Jewelry Gets Personal

Alloy Custom Jewelers is a great example of local entrepreneurship in action. Founded by father-son team Aram and Sam Susong, the Cedar Falls business has built its reputation around creativity, craftsmanship, and creating jewelry that is personal.

What makes Alloy stand out is the experience they create for their clients. Instead of simply choosing a ring or necklace from a display case, customers work directly with Aram and Sam to design something built specifically for them. Whether it’s an engagement ring, a redesigned family heirloom, or a completely custom piece, every project starts with a conversation and comes to life right here in the Cedar Valley.

There’s also something fun about seeing a father-son team build a business together. Their personalities and passion for the work come through in the process, and that energy makes the studio feel welcoming, creative, and approachable. It’s the kind of place where customers feel part of the design process instead of just making a purchase.

In a world full of mass-produced products, Alloy Custom Jewelers brings something refreshingly personal to the Cedar Valley.

For more information, please visit: alloycustomjewelers.com

 
 
 

Maoko Umeda: A Voice of the Valley

“Life here feels comfortable, and I feel like I can be myself.”

Maoko Umeda never expected Iowa to feel familiar.

Before moving to the Cedar Valley, she had spent most of her life in Kanagawa, Japan, a region located about two hours from Tokyo by train. When she learned she would be relocating to Cedar Falls through the Japan Outreach Initiative – a joint program by the Japan Foundation and the Laurasian Institution that promotes Japanese culture across the United States – she admits she knew very little about the place she would soon call home.

“To be honest, I had never heard of Cedar Falls when I was first told I would be coming to Iowa,” Maoko said. “At that time, I simply hoped that I could enjoy my two-year term and make the most of the experience.”

Assigned to the University of Northern Iowa as a Japanese Outreach Initiative Coordinator, Maoko arrived in the Cedar Valley prepared for a cultural adjustment. What she did not anticipate was how quickly the community itself would become one of the most meaningful parts of the experience.

At first, everyday life in Iowa felt dramatically different from what she had known in Japan.

“I was surprised that there are no trains, how wide the roads are, and how vast the cornfields are,” she said. “Most of all, I was truly surprised by how kind and welcoming people are.”

That warmth became foundational as she adjusted to life in a new country, language, and culture.

“I think it started to feel like home after about a year,” Maoko said. “At first, I couldn’t speak much English and everything felt new and overwhelming, so I was always a bit nervous. Over time, the warmth of the people here made me feel at ease.”

Through her work at UNI, Maoko helps share Japanese culture throughout the Cedar Valley by organizing workshops, educational events, and community programs with local organizations including libraries and art centers. All the chances she had to share her life and culture became opportunities to find her own sense of belonging here in the Cedar Valley.

“Through those opportunities, I was able to connect with many people in the community, who have been incredibly kind and supportive,” she said.

For Maoko, one of the defining characteristics of the Cedar Valley is the way community spaces naturally bring people together. She has grown to love exploring local events, spending time in libraries and art centers, and simply enjoying the quiet rhythms of Cedar Falls.

“I also love simply taking walks and appreciating the peaceful atmosphere of Cedar Falls,” she said. “It gives me time to reflect and recharge.”

Living in the Cedar Valley has also reshaped her personally and professionally. Experiencing American culture firsthand challenged her to adapt to entirely new ways of communicating, working, and connecting with others.

“Before coming here, I had lived my entire life in Japan, so the values, work style, and ways of interacting with others were all very different from what I was used to,” Maoko said. “These new experiences have made me more flexible and open-minded.”

The experience has also inspired her future goals. After returning to Japan later this year, she hopes to continue building bridges between the two countries and cultures that have shaped her life.

“These experiences inspired me to pursue a future where I can help connect Japan and the United States,” she said.

Although her current program is scheduled to end in July, leaving the Cedar Valley will not be easy.

“Life here feels comfortable, and I feel like I can be myself,” Maoko said. “I truly hope to come back again in the future.”

For someone who arrived in Iowa without expectations and thousands of miles away from home, the Cedar Valley ultimately became something much deeper than a temporary assignment. It became a place of belonging.

“I Live the Valley because it is a place where people welcome you with warmth, and where I found a sense of belonging far from home.”

— Maoko Umeda, Japanese Outreach Initiative Coordinator | University of Northern Iowa

Why Your Budget Goes Further in the Cedar Valley

Living in a place where everyday life is affordable changes the way people experience their community.

You can grab coffee downtown before work, spend the weekend at a local concert or farmers market, sign the kids up for activities, meet friends for dinner, and still feel like there’s room in the budget to enjoy the things that make life great. That balance is part of what continues to draw people to the Cedar Valley and one of the reasons affordability continues to matter so much when people decide where to build their future.

A recent report from the Common Sense Institute examined how much income Americans have left after paying for essential expenses such as housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, childcare, insurance, and taxes. The study ranked Iowa as the most affordable state in the country in 2025, reporting that Iowa households retain roughly 35% of their income after covering those necessary costs.

Across the Cedar Valley, residents are building lives that reflect that same balance.

Room in the Budget for Real Life

Affordability shapes everyday life in ways that extend far beyond monthly expenses. It influences where people choose to live, how they spend their time, and whether they feel connected to the community around them.

According to the 2025/2026 Cedar Valley Fact Sheet published by Grow Cedar Valley, the overall cost of living in the Cedar Valley is 10.3% lower than the national average, with housing costs sitting 12.1% lower and utilities 19.3% lower.

Residents can spend less time stressing about monthly expenses and more time enjoying the community around them. First-time homebuyers can realistically picture themselves owning a home, while young professionals can build a career and still have room for weekend plans, travel, hobbies, and nights out with friends.

“The Cedar Valley is easy to grow roots in. There’s a good cost of living, it’s easy to get to work, and you’ve got one of everything you want and need.” – Audrey Kittrell, President, Eagle View

Housing remains accessible for individuals and families looking to rent, buy a first home, or find a neighborhood that fits their stage of life. Short commute times create greater flexibility throughout the day and allow more time to spend at home, outdoors, or with friends and family.

At the same time, Grow Cedar Valley continues working to address long-term housing and workforce needs identified through the Count Me In Population Study, including housing availability, housing costs, workforce growth, and efforts to support competitive wages as the Cedar Valley grows.

Affordability also plays an important role in supporting local businesses and community growth. When residents have room in their budgets beyond essential expenses, they are able to spend more within the communities where they live and work. That continued support helps strengthen restaurants, retailers, entertainment venues, service providers, and small businesses across the Cedar Valley.

Beyond the 9 to 5

The Cedar Valley offers the kind of lifestyle that keeps calendars full in the best way possible. One night might look like live music downtown after work. Another could mean a stop at the farmers market on Saturday morning, dinner on a patio with friends, or an evening walk along the trails before sunset. Across the region, community festivals, local coffee shops, recreational leagues, arts performances, and outdoor spaces create opportunities for people to stay connected and involved throughout the year.

The Cedar Valley is home to 96 public parks, more than 128 miles of paved biking and recreational trails, performing arts venues, museums, golf courses, pickleball courts, and nationally recognized downtown districts that give each community its own personality and rhythm.

That accessibility helps people participate in community life on a regular basis and build routines around the places, events, and experiences they enjoy most.

A Region Built for Opportunity

Affordability matters even more when paired with strong career opportunities, and the Cedar Valley continues to offer both.

Major employers across manufacturing, healthcare, finance, education, logistics, and technology support a broad range of careers throughout the region. According to the Cedar Valley Fact Sheet source, Lightcast, manufacturing remains one of the region’s largest industries, representing nearly 17% of the workforce with an average salary of more than $103,000 annually. Finance and insurance careers average more than $105,000 annually, while healthcare, transportation, retail, and logistics continue to provide strong career opportunities across the Cedar Valley.

The region also continues to invest in a strong talent pipeline through area school districts, Hawkeye Community College, Wartburg College, and the University of Northern Iowa, which enrolls more than 9,200 students annually. Across the Cedar Valley, education and workforce partnerships continue creating connections between classrooms, career pathways, internships, and long-term opportunities throughout the region.

The Kind of Place People Stay

The Common Sense Institute report points to something many Cedar Valley residents already know from everyday experience. Affordability shapes how people spend their time, where they put down roots, and how connected they feel to the community around them.

Short commutes create more time at home. Community events make it easier to stay involved. Local businesses, restaurants, parks, and recreation help turn ordinary weeks into something people genuinely look forward to.

“The Cedar Valley feels like a small town but has all the essentials. I can get just about anywhere in 10 or 15 minutes, and everything we need is right here. After I moved here, met my husband, and started my business, it just always felt like home.” – Amy Guenther, owner of Sweet Little You Photography

The Cedar Valley continues to attract people looking for a place where career opportunities, community connection, and everyday affordability all exist together in one region.

For a closer look at Cedar Valley housing, recreation, employers, and cost-of-living data, view the 2025–2026 Cedar Valley Fact Sheet.